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Guy Gardner

  • Pilot, space shuttle Atlantis (STS-27)
  • Pilot, space shuttle Columbia (STS-35)
Headshot of astronaut Guy Gardner in orange flight suit holding helmet
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EARLY LIFE: As a boy growing up in Alexandria, VA, Guy dreamed of flying in space someday. He was in 8th grade when the first astronauts flew in space. Since all the early astronauts were test pilots, he chose to pursue that route – Air Force Academy, Purdue University, fighter pilot, test pilot, astronaut. Guy began his operational career flying 177 combat missions in the F-4 Phantom during the Vietnam War. After serving as an F-4 instructor and operational pilot, Guy attended the USAF Test Pilot School and then served as a test pilot and instructor test pilot.

PERSONAL LIFE: Guy and Linda Gardner have been married for over 55 years. They have three adult children and five grandchildren. He currently spends his time enjoying family and friends, hiking and biking, and speaking.

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science Degree with majors in Astronautics, Mathematics, and Engineering Science from the United States Air Force Academy in 1969 (Distinguished Graduate); Master of Science Degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Purdue University in 1970; Master of Arts Degree in Education from Virginia Tech in 2000.

ASTRONAUT EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA as a pilot astronaut in 1980, Guy worked in many areas of Space Shuttle and Space Station development and support. His first flight assignment was STS-62A, scheduled to be the first Space Shuttle mission to fly in a polar orbit out of Vandenburg AFB, CA. However, that mission was cancelled following the Challenger accident. Guy first flew in space as pilot on the crew of STS-27, aboard the Orbiter Atlantis, on December 2-6, 1988. The mission carried a classified Department of Defense payload. Guy next flew as pilot on the crew of STS-35, aboard the Orbiter Columbia, on December 2-10, 1990. The mission carried the ASTRO-1 astronomy laboratory consisting of three ultraviolet telescopes and one x-ray telescope.

AFTER FLYING IN SPACE:

  • Head of the USAF Test Pilot School.
  • NASA Associate Administrator for Space Flight (Russian Programs) with the primary role of Program Director of the joint U.S./Russian Shuttle-Mir Program.
  • Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Director of the William J. Hughes Technical Center.
  • FAA Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, leading the government organization responsible for oversight and regulation of civil aviation safety.
  • Motivational/educational speaker to students across the country.
  • High school mathematics teacher and physics teacher.
  • Consultant for risk management and space tourism companies.
  • Purdue University Director of Super Project Development – helped manage research programs, taught engineering, and supported alumni and community relations and development efforts.
  • Superintendent/President of Riverside Preparatory Academy a boy’s college-prep military boarding and day school for grades 7-12.
  • President of the Williamson College of the Trades, a residential three-year junior college trade school in Media, PA. Williamson is known for instilling good character and work ethic along with trade skills and academic knowledge in young men from lower income families.
  • Fulfilled his other boyhood dream by backpacking the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.
  • In recent years Guy has taught high school physics, government and economics to students in home school co-ops.